Michael Daniel Doyle, a surfer who rose to global fame in the 1960s for both his skill and his embodiment of the sport's early carefree nature, died on Tuesday at his home in San Jose Del Cabo,. Mike told Jeff in the last year or so that he wasnt able to surf or kite anymore, and that he just wanted be at home with his art and Annie. One of my favorite parts was when he recounted Mikes greeting on his phone: If this is about work, hang up. Mike Doyle is flat out one of the greatest all-around surfers there has ever been. Her coastal coverage now extends up the California coast into Long Beach and the South Bay. Unfortunately, Jeff let us know that Rusty Miller had had a stroke three days before and wasnt going to make it down either. When he was at the top of his game in the 1950s and 60s, Doyle hauled in the awards with ease. The cause was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, said his niece Jamie McCafferty. Low 42F. I dont know how many surf contests hes won, but quite a few. Sign Up, Three surfers break down the world of stunt work and detail what it's like to. Mike Doyle, a waterman known for his big-wave prowess one of the original hot doggers died in his sleep early Tuesday morning, April 30. In tandem surfing, he won both the United States and world championships in 1965. The nose thing kind of gave him that tiki god sort of look. Yeah, he looked great with the new nose, but he was fine before it too. Rusty first started surfing at age ten. He famously sold Kathy Kohner, aka Gidget, her first surfboard in 56. He now wants to start entering surfing competitions. The direction of surfing is fun, it should be fun, he said. Then, as surfing became more lucrative yet too corporate for some, Doyle moved to the tip of Baja and lived out a fantasy last chapter of his life. I say its the person whos having the most fun, Doyle said in a series of interviews on Swell Tales, which aired on YouTube. HB Surfers Walk of Fame inductee Doyle set standard for watermen Probably no man alive has gone on more surf adventures than I have, yet I still havent had enough, wrote Doyle, who moved to Mexico in the 80s to be an artist and to run a surf school. He signed with Op Sunwear in 1970 and started chasing the sun forever after. Ten small waves are not going to do ya much good you need two or three really good ones. Mike Doyle, surfing legend from the wrong side of Interstate 5, dies at Doyle was runner-up at the World Surfing Championships in 1964. You have to make the time to be there when the surf is good.. Steve Marble is the obituaries editor at the Los Angeles Times. accounts@pacificlongboarder.com, SURF MEDIA PTY LTD In that first era of surfing, you represented your country, and he was one of the standouts, said Peter Townend, a former world surfing champion known as PT, who is a co-chairman of the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California, into which Doyle was inducted in 2003. Insurance Services provided by: CA surplus lines broker Lic. At the center of the circle of surfers in the water was Mikes lovely wife, Annie, as well as Mikes longtime friend and self-described butler for the last 45 years, Jeff King. It is a beautiful day here in San Jose, the waves are perfect and we know Mike is in Heaven with a smile on his face, surfing an endless wave, an announcement on the Doyle Surfboards Facebook page reads, noting he was with his wife, Annie, when he passed. Mike Doyle Paddle Out and Memorial Service - Discover Baja Travel Club Despite his success in the sport, Doyle viewed surfing in simple terms, he said in his Swell Tales interview. By his 20s he was amassing awards and fans around the world. I dont know how many surf contests hes won, but quite a few. I wish I had half her energy! Legendary surfer Mike Doyle passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Gringo Hill, San Jos del Cabo, Mexico. There was an error processing your request. 2022 Discover Baja Travel Club - All rights reserved. He would soon become a pivotal figure in the South Bay and Malibu surf culture. He was chiseled, bronzed, a great surfer, charismatic, always had a smile on his face like he was having a good time.. It is a beautiful day here in San Jose, the waves are perfect and we know Mike is in Heaven with a smile on his face, surfing an endless wave, an announcement on the Doyle Surfboards Facebook page reads, noting he was with his wife, Annie, when he passed. He rode his first waves at Manhattan Beach, though Malibu became his favorite break. If the conditions are right, Ill walk away from anything to spend a day in the water with my friends.. He was a good-looking dude but was always self-conscious that he had a big nose, which he did. Mike Doyle Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family highly collectable surfboards featuring images by Andy Warhol. Its a magic board. I have so many great memories of times we spent together that it would be hard to just lay down one or two. Partly cloudy. Mike Doyle interview and surfing Baja with Danny Aaberg & Josh Farberow. This book is a must for the surfer boomer who grew up in the 50s and 60s and has the west coast change so much over the last 40 years. According to the Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center in San Clemente, Doyle famously sold Kathy Kohner, aka Gidget, her first surfboard in 1956 and then worked as a stunt double in Gidget in 1959. After a brief retirement from competition, she returned to take four more world titles. And I hate racists.. During the 1960s Mike was one of the very best (maybe, the very best) big wave riders on the planet. He was 78. By his 20s, he was amassing awards and fans around the world. If the conditions are right, Ill walk away from anything to spend a day in the water with my friends.. Boogie board inventor Tom Morey remembers seeing Doyle as a regular on the Malibu surf scene during the 50s. A Woz rule change made in March gives past World Champs special treatment. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. Mike was on his bed and was trying to tell him something before he left, but he was so weak Dennis could barely hear him. After I met Mike on Mex 5 north of Cocos Corner during his friend Jeffs mechanical issue about four years ago, he had me meet him at his house a few months later to sign my late 60s Hanson 50/50 Doyle Designed 94 longboard, which Id bought in 1981 after watching Gidget. Up and down California soft boards are still often referred to simply as Doyles..